Amid a global obesity pandemic, a significant player in diabetes management has recently emerged as a popular treatment for weight loss.

You may have heard of Ozempic. You may even know someone who’s using it, or you could be using it yourself. But what makes it so effective for losing weight? And is it as safe as it’s made out to be?

The product in South Africa

Ozempic is an injectable medication containing a compound called semaglutide. It belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists.

According to the South African Health Products Authority (SAHPRA), there are two registered presentations of the pre-filled injectable pen available: the Ozempic 0,25mg and 0,5mg/dose pen, and the Ozempic 1mg/dose pen. It’s registered for the treatment of adults with Type 2 diabetes, to reduce blood sugar levels, and for adults with insufficiently controlled Type 2 diabetes, as an adjunct to diet and exercise. It’s also registered for use in the reduction of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke in adults with heart disease.

It’s not registered in South Africa for use in weight loss.

SAHPRA has issued a warning to the public to use only registered Ozempic products, and to be wary of products claiming to be Ozempic that haven’t been approved by SAHPRA.

Officially, it’s available only on prescription.

How it works

The medication is injected in the stomach, arm or thigh once a week. By activating GLP-1 receptors, Ozempic helps to regulate blood sugar levels after meals and reduce the production of glucose in the liver.

In addition, it mimics a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which the body produces naturally. This hormone helps the stomach to empty more slowly, and maintain a feeling of satiety for longer. Therefore, you’ll feel less hungry throughout the day.

Speaking to The New York Times, Dr Janice Jin Hwang, chief of the division of endocrinology and metabolism at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, explained that this also changes how people think about food. It reduces how often they think about food and their specific cravings, which helps them to be less preoccupied with food and, therefore, eat less.

The ramifications for diabetes patients

It’s estimated that, at present, more than 4 million South Africans are living with diabetes and need to be able to access medication on a regular basis.

However, it’s reported that South Africa’s public healthcare system is struggling to provide sufficient human insulin pens to patients. One of the reasons for this is the new-found demand for weight-loss drugs, and it’s claimed the pharmaceutical industry is prioritising weight-loss drugs over diabetes medication (which use a similar device for delivery), because the former are many times more profitable.

The dangers

Despite its advantages, Ozempic has both risks and side-effects if not used properly. Some potential complications include:

  • Hypoglycaemia
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Pancreatitis

Bottom line

Ozempic isn’t suitable for everyone. It’s essential to consult a healthcare practitioner to determine whether Ozempic is the right choice for you, based on your medical history and current health status.

It’s neither a quick fix nor a long-term solution for weight loss. If lifestyle changes aren’t made, patients may regain lost weight once they stop taking the medication.

Written by LifeAssist